Ryker and Tyler were fighting fiercely. The princess and Victory were cheering for them.
I was captivated by Ryker's strength; his sword swung like a powerful wind. I have always been interested in swords and martial arts, and even practice them.
Tyler's inferiority could be seen against Ryker. Tyler was losing his balance while Ryker advanced.
Soon enough, Tyler was defeated. He looked annoyed.
"Ryker is strong, " Maipakpi, standing beside me, said. " Just a moment ago, Tyler challenged Ryker to a duel while we were practicing. But Ryker is the real expert." She continued.
Oh, so that's what happened? Why did he even challenge Ryker?
The princess was impressed. She was praising Ryker, and he listened quietly, and a smile played on his face. Some girls asked him to teach them personally.
The General seemed impressed, too. He also praised Ryker and remarked that everyone should be like him if they wanted to defeat the demon lord.
Our practice didn't end there. I decided to take a break.
Ryker approached me and asked, " How are you hanging?"
He looked very different from yesterday night, like he was a completely different person.
" Just fine," I answered. I didn't wanna get involved with him, not now.
" You look exhausted, though." He said.
Why is he saying that like he cares for me? I can't trust him.
" Why are you here?" I wanted to finish the conversation as soon as possible.
He answered, " I decided to take a break."
" So about yesterday," I said.
" Yesterday? What happened yesterday?" he said.
" Nothing"
I shouldn't talk about yesterday, who knows what might have happened.
One of his friends came to him suddenly and said, " Ryker, General is calling to practice."
I didn't say anything else and left for practice.
Tamphasana was watching from afar, and she felt I was a threat.
When I was about to start practicing, she came to me and said, " I challenge you to a duel."
" What are you saying out of the sudden?" I asked.
" Don't worry, I'll go easy on you, and it is just for practice." She said.
Everyone starts circling us, curious. The general was also there. He didn't say anything.
I accepted and said, " Forgot about going easy on me and give me everything you got."
It will be a good practice for me anyway. I messed up a little earlier time to make up for it.
I knew she was looking down on me, too.
Ryker was also there, and he looked shocked.
Tamphasana holds her sword just by looking at how she holds her sword. I knew she was no newbie.
She took her form, and I also took my form. She first started attacking from the left. I block her. She was not that fast. And agile means everything in a sword fight.
Everything happened in a flash. The next second, I flung her sword, and she was on the ground at the tip of my sword.
She looked shocked, not only she, but everyone looked shocked. They didn't expect it at all.
I helped her get up from the ground. The general asked, " You know swordsmanship well. I thought you were of no use."
He only sees us as a weapon to use. I bet he is already planning how to use me.
Then he sent us to practice again. The sun was setting when we finished.
Ryker approached me again, and he seemed warm. If you tell me this person is different from the Ryker of last night, I will believe it.
He asked, " I didn't know you knew swordsmanship well. Where did you learn it?"
" I learn it as a curriculum activity only. Besides, I took personal training from a sword master. And you?" I said.
" I only learn it to protect myself." He said.
We bid each other farewell and left for our respective rooms.
When I entered the room, Furball was happy to see me. I was thinking about resting, then I remembered the book that my dad gave me.
I took it out and read it. It contains much information about magic, but what's its use if I can't use magic? What captured my attention was using a weapon with magic.
After having dinner, I was returning to my room, and I saw Tamphasana practicing. She is the kind of person who will not accept defeat.
I was thinking why can't I use magic, then I remembered about the angel. I decided to visit her. She was the only one who could answer my question.
I reached the prayer room. I checked if anyone was there, but nobody was there. I prayed, and when I opened my eyes the angel was there.
She asked me, " Dear, why are you here?"
" You said you grant everyone the ability to use magic but not me, why?" I said.
She answered, " It's just that you have not woken it up. You are special, Laija. I have summoned you here not just to defeat the demon lord but for other things. I know what you are capable of. You will know it all slowly. And next time, if you ever want to talk with me, you don't have to come to the prayer room, just sit in a quiet room and think about me."
She continued, " Don't lose hope yet, just keep trying, and your magic will surely be awakened. There are many things I want to tell you, but now is not the time."
I said, " I will only help you cause you said you have saved my life."
" You should head back. He will get tired waiting for you." She said.
Who was she talking about?
I opened my eyes and got up to leave. As I look back, I see Ryker standing near the door.
" What are you doing here?" He said with his heart-melting smile.
" I have my own business, but why are you here?" I said.
There he goes again, he looks like a complete person. His eyes are looking at me amusingly.
He answered, " I saw you coming here, so I followed. I was curious."
I started to walk towards the door, and he said, " Don't ever mention what happened at night in daytime."
" Why are you saying that to me?" I stopped walking.
He sighed and continued, " Let me tell you a secret of mine."
" I'm not interested." I started walking.
" Then listen carefully."
How stubborn? Part of me was curious, but I got a bad feeling about it.
" He and I are different people. He doesn't know I exist, but I know everything about him," he said.
" Who are you talking about?"
" I'm talking about Ryker."
" Then who are you?"
"I'm him."
" Are you for real?"
" You don't need to know anything else. If you ever mention me in front of him. You will not live to see another day."
He left after saying. At this time, people would be scared. But why am I so angry with his tone of voice? Should I hit him?
When I stepped into my room, I saw that Furball was already deep in sleep, completely relaxed and at peace.
I can't help but wonder if Ryker might actually have a split personality. It seems like there's more to him than meets the eye!